Source
r/Ebay•
timeproof

As a buyer, can I remove a claim against a seller so they don't have a defect for a package USPS lost?

edit: Solved, thanks! Turns out eBay is holding off on issuing defects for shipping issues during COVID.

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Original post: Bought a $200 item, got a tracking link. It was supposed to be delivered on the 13th from two states away. It made its way to my state, but it's hung up at some distribution center in another city 2 hours away ever since. I opened a case with the seller on eBay because I thought they would need to be the ones to sort it out with USPS. USPS is saying that this is just par for the course because of COVID, that the package isn't lost, it's just delayed. Honestly, I do think it's lost but...

Here's the thing, none of this is the fault of the seller, and I didn't realize that opening a case causes them to incur a defect even if the case is eventually settled to the buyer's satisfaction. Now I feel bad. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to keep the eBay case open until either the item arrives or I get refunded. Seller agreed it's reasonable to refund me if I haven't gotten it by the 22nd, a full 10 days after its scheduled delivery.

If the item either arrives or the seller refunds me, is there a way I can help them have the defect removed, since USPS legitimately is the one at fault here?

Posted May 19, 2020, 5:45 PM UTC · edited

14
Mycatreallyhatesyou•

I really don’t think we get defects for this right now. He may have told you that to make you feel bad.

1
bmcsky96•

eBay has waived defects right now on shipment delays because of COVID, it says as much on the seller panel. I wouldn’t worry too much about it and close the case once it’s received.

1
SouthernGuyReborn•

I had a 1st class mail item that disappeared off of tracking as a buyer (I buy and sell) for 13 days. It popped up again on tracking last Monday and was delivered the next day. USPS is severely understaffed at the moment and crates of packages might sit for a week or longer in their sorting centers. It's just a sign of the Covid times. You've already got your answer on the defect. But, if you get refunded and then receive your order, do the right thing and return the sellers $$.

1
timeproofOP•

Don't worry, I buy and sell too and have every intention of doing the right thing!

Meanwhile, I'm gonna obscure some details for sake of anonymity, but today I got an update that the package was sent from the seller in Virginia to me in Georgia, where it sat at a distribution center for 10 days, but has now been scanned in as being at a distribution center in DETROIT. My poor package. So far from home, it must be so scared and lonely. But I'm taking it as a good sign that it's at least able to be scanned in. I messaged the seller and said basically hey I know I said I'd be asking for a refund if it wasn't here by the 22nd, but I'd be happy to wait another week since at least there's SOME sign of life out there.

1